Adjustable Childs Skirt System

ABSTRACT

The Adjustable Child&#39;s Skirt System includes a skirt and a foundation garment, such as a jumpsuit. The skirt removably attaches to the foundation garment. This removable attachment serves a number of purposes, including: preventing the skirt from riding up, or sliding down, the child&#39;s body; simplifying placement of the skirt on the child, which is especially important when the child is moving while being dressed; and preventing the skirt from twisting around the child, which could result in discomfort if the knot ends up under the child&#39;s back.

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of clothing and more particularly to an adjustable skirt in combination with a child's bodysuit.

BACKGROUND

An average child born with a length of 18 inches long and weight of 6 lbs, may grow to 40 inches in length with a weight of 17 lbs by her third birthday. This is a significant increase in size. Such an increase in size creates financial stress for parents, who must constantly purchase new clothing for their child.

Additionally, purchasing a gift for new parents is made difficult by the variable size of children, and trying to manage the timing of the gift with the potential size of the child.

What is needed is clothing that will increase in size with the child, but still be simple for a parent to put onto the child.

SUMMARY

The solution to the problem of children quickly outgrowing their clothes is solved by an Adjustable Child's Skirt System that grows with the child.

The Adjustable Child's Skirt System includes a skirt and a foundation garment, such as a jumpsuit or bodysuit. The foundation garment optionally includes holes or penetrations for a child's arms, legs, and neck. Such penetrations may extend into partial or full-length sleeves, and partial or full-length pants.

The skirt removably attaches to the foundation garment. This removable attachment serves a number of purposes, including: preventing the skirt from riding up, or sliding down, the child's body; simplifying placement of the skirt on the child, which is especially important when the child is moving while being dressed; and preventing the skirt from twisting around the child, which could result in discomfort if the knot ends up under the child's back.

The main elements of the skirt include a waistband to wrap around the child, and skirting affixed to the bottom of the waistband.

The waistband extends beyond the ends of the skirting, forming two ties, one from each end of the waistband. Within the waistband is an eyelet or a small hole, through which one tie can pass in order to wrap the skirt around the child. This process is discussed more fully below.

The waistband is of varying height, providing additional adjustability to the Adjustable Child's Skirt System. Pulling the waistband up, or unfolding the waistband, increases the height of the Adjustable Child's Skirt System above the child's waistline. This allows the Adjustable Child's Skirt System to be used with taller children. Pulling the waistband down, or folding the waistband, decreases the height. This may be necessary when the Adjustable Child's Skirt System is used with smaller children.

This alteration of the height of the waistband is preferably performed after the waistband is tied because shortening the waistband may hide the eyelet. But the operation of passing a tie through the eyelet in order to tie the skirt to the foundation garment is unaffected by the height of the waistband.

Fabric types from which the waistband may be constructed include: spandex, spandex blends, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, wool, acetate, acrylic, other natural or man-made fibers, or blends of such materials. In preferred embodiments the waistband is able to stretch to accommodate movement and breathing of the child. Thus, the preferred embodiments use materials with elasticity, such as materials with spandex, or materials that are woven for elasticity, such as knits.

Skirting is attached to a portion of the bottom perimeter of the foldable waistband.

The skirting is generally sewn to the bottom of the foldable waistband, but other means of attachment, including manufacturing both pieces from a single piece of material, are anticipated.

Fabric types from which the skirting may be constructed include: spandex, and spandex blends, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, wool, acetate, acrylic, other natural or man-made fibers, or blends of such materials. The skirting may be exposed to spills and potential stains, and thus is preferably made of a fabric that is stain resistant, or coated to be stain resistant.

The foundation garment is the garment that lies under the skirt. In the included figures, this garment is a jumpsuit, or what is commonly referred to as a onesie or bodysuit. But the foundation garment can be other types of clothing, including long shirts, overalls, and so forth. The foundation garment optionally includes sleeves for arms, and pants for legs. Or it may include holes for arms and holes for legs. The foundation garment acts to provide stability to the skirt, limiting the ways in which the skirt can move with respect to the child.

The foundation garment attaches to the skirt using any type of removable fastener. The figures show the use of hook and loop fasteners. But similar products, such as Dual Lock by 3M, are anticipated. Or other known types of fasteners can be used, such as snaps or buttons. The removable fastener can be continuous pieces, such as strips of hook and loop fastener, or individual pieces, such as pieces of hook and loop fastener or snaps/buttons.

Located on the chest portion of the foundation garment is an optional removable patch. The removable patch is held to the foundation garment using a fastener, such as hook and loop material, one or more snaps, buttons, etc. The use of the preferable hook and loop material allows the removable patch to be easily changed. The removable patch provides many benefits, such as: allowing the foundation garment to be machine washed without an easily-damaged patch; moving the patch from one foundation garment to another as the child grows; providing a selection of low-cost patches for use with any foundation garment; and making the patch easily removable if desired for naptime, feeding, etc.

Fabric types from which the foundation garment may be constructed include: spandex, and spandex blends, rayon, cotton, linen, silk, wool, acetate, acrylic, other natural or man-made fibers, or blends of such materials. The foundation garment is against the child's skin, and thus preferred embodiments use fibers that are gentle on soft skin, such as cotton.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a view of the skirt portion of the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 2 illustrates the first step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 3 illustrates the second step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 4 illustrates the third step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 5 illustrates the fourth step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 6 illustrates the back of a child clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt.

FIG. 7 illustrates a child clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt, with waistband in the low position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a child clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1, with waistband in the raised position.

FIG. 9 illustrates foundation garments of varying sizes.

FIG. 10 illustrates a removable patch affixed to the foundation garment.

FIG. 11 illustrates the back of the removable patch, and the attachment location on the foundation garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

The Adjustable Child's Skirt System is the combination of a first garment releasably attached to a second garment. In the preferred embodiment, the first garment is a skirt with a waistband, and the second garment is a jumpsuit. The jumpsuit optionally includes sleeves and pants. The jumpsuit is the first article of clothing the child is dressed in. Then the child is laid upon the skirt, lining up the releasable fasteners to affix the two garments together. Passing a tie through the eyelet of the waistband and wrapping the child, finally tying the ties in a knot, completes the process.

Referring to FIG. 1, a view of the skirt 10 of the Adjustable Child's Skirt System 1 is shown. The Adjustable Child's Skirt System 1 includes waistband 12 and skirting 14. The waistband 12 extends out past skirting 14 to form a first tie 16 and a second tie 18. Within the waistband 12 is eyelet 22, through which a tie 16/18 will extend.

Skirt-side fasteners 20 shows the location to which the foundation garment is attached. The dashed lines between the individual fasteners 20 indicate that the fastener 20 may be individual fasteners, or a continuous fastener.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1 is shown. The child 2, wearing the foundation garment 40, is placed on the skirt 10. The foundation garment 40 includes fasteners 42, which extend to the underside of the foundation garment 40, here hidden by the child 2. Those fasteners 42 interface with the skirt-side fastener 20, holding the skirt 10 in position with respect to the foundation garment 40.

The removable patch 50 is shown, located near the child's chest.

With the child 2 on the skirt 10, it can be seen that the first tie 16 is in a position to cross the child 2 and enter the eyelet 22. This step is illustrated in the next figure.

Referring to FIG. 3, the second step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1 is shown. The right side of the skirt 10 has been partially wrapped around the foundation garment 40, and the first tie 16 has passed through the eyelet 22. Continuing to wrap the skirt 10 around the foundation garment 40 along the interface of the skirt-side fastener 20 and fasteners 42 maintains the skirt 10 in alignment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the third step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1 is shown. The right side of the skirt 10 has now covered the front of the foundation garment 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, the fourth step of clothing a child in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1 is shown. The right side of the skirt 10 has passed under the child 2 and foundation garment 40. The first tie 16 and second tie 18 are joined in a knot 26, holding the skirt in place.

Referring to FIG. 6, the back of a child 2 clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1 is shown. The overlap 24 of the two ends of the skirting 14 is shown. The view shows that after the Adjustable Child's Skirt System 1 is wrapped around the child 2, the back of the child 2 is uninterrupted by knots or other bumps. The result is a comfortable surface for the child 2 to rest on.

Referring to FIG. 7, a child clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1, with waistband 12 in the lowered position 30.

Referring to FIG. 8, the back of a child clothed in the Adjustable Child Skirt 1, with the waistband in the high position is shown.

FIG. 9 illustrates foundation garments 40 of varying sizes, both compatible with the Adjustable Child Skirt. The use of a single skirt 10 with foundation garments 40 of varying sizes reduces costs, and increases the useful life of the Adjustable Child's Skirt System 1.

FIG. 10 illustrates a removable patch 50 affixed to the foundation garment 40.

FIG. 11 illustrates the back of the removable patch 50, and the attachment location on the foundation garment 40. The patch fastener 52 is shown, and its corresponding garment fastener 54.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Clothing for a child comprising: a. a first garment and a second garment, b. wherein the first garment is a skirt with a waistband; c. wherein the second garment is a jumpsuit; and d. wherein the first garment releasably attaches to the second garment.
 2. The clothing of claim 1, wherein the first garment further includes: a. one or more ties; and b. an eyelet, wherein one of the one or more ties is passed through the eyelet when wrapping the skirt around the second garment while dressing the child.
 3. The clothing of claim 1, further comprising: a. a removable patch that is releasably attached to the second garment.
 4. The clothing of claim 1, wherein the jumpsuit includes sleeves for covering the child's arms, and pants for covering the child's legs.
 5. The clothing of claim 1, wherein the skirt includes a height-adjustable waistband.
 6. The clothing of claim 5, wherein the waistband of the first garment has at least two positions, a first position wherein the waistband covers a small portion of the foundation garment, and a second position wherein the waistband covers a larger portion of the foundation garment.
 7. A combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child, comprising: a. a foundation garment to be worn by a child, including at least two holes for the child's legs; b. a skirt releasably attachable to the foundation garment using one or more releasable fasteners; and c. wherein the foundation garment and skirt have no permanent attachment to each another.
 8. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 7, wherein: a. the skirt includes a waistband with two ties and hole, the hole acting as a pass-through for one tie, allowing the skirt to be wrapped around the foundation garment; and b. after the skirt is wrapped around the foundation garment, the two ties are knotted, securing the skirt.
 9. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 7, further comprising a removable decorative patch releasably attached to the foundation garment.
 10. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 7, wherein the skirt includes a height-adjustable waistband.
 11. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 10, wherein the height-adjustable waistband can be folded to decrease its height, or unfolded to increase its height.
 12. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 7, wherein the one or more releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
 13. The combination skirt and jumpsuit clothing article for a child of claim 7, wherein the one or more releasable fasteners are snaps.
 14. An item of clothing for a child that includes a foundation garment that provides stability to a separate skirt, the foundation garment preventing the skirt from excessive motion relative to the foundation garment, wherein: a. the foundation garment is a jumpsuit with penetrations for a child's arms and legs; and b. the skirt is attached to the foundation garment using releasable fasteners, the skirt includes a waistband, skirting, and an eyelet, the waistband including ties, and the skirting affixed to the waistband.
 15. The item of clothing for a child of claim 14, wherein: a. the eyelet acts as a pass-through for one tie, allowing the skirt to be wrapped around the foundation garment; and b. after the skirt is wrapped around the foundation garment, the ties are knotted, securing the skirt.
 16. The item of clothing for a child of claim 14, further comprising a removable decorative patch releasably attached to the foundation garment.
 17. The item of clothing for a child of claim 14, wherein the skirt includes a height-adjustable waistband.
 18. The item of clothing for a child of claim 17, wherein the height-adjustable waistband can be folded to decrease its height, or unfolded to increase its height.
 19. The item of clothing for a child of claim 14, wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
 20. The item of clothing for a child of claim 14, wherein the releasable fasteners are snaps. 